We are now in a wartime footing in most of the country. Most of us have no idea how to live life there. The things that worked before no longer work. COVID-19 is changing everything.
In peacetime, Dwayne Black lost his son Steve a few weeks ago. Steve was out in the cold Colorado winter at night by himself. He slipped, hit his head, apparently blacked out, and froze to death.
Dwayne is 81 and takes care of a couple of special needs grandchildren on a fixed income. In the last several years not only did Dwayne lose his son, but his wife and daughter. Life has been cruel.
Dwayne was a leader in the community. You’d think that he’d have lots of people helping him pick up the pieces of his life. But that hasn’t happened.
The nation is shut down. The virus is doubling every three days. It’s wartime and we are trying to be prudent. But in a time like this, so many people need more than prudence, they need courageous love. We as a church are called to that by Jesus. But what does that look like for Dwayne today in Colorado?
We need examples. Examples like David Reyes whose small missional community in town decided to adopt Dwayne and help him to care for his grandchildren. Yesterday they went to Costco and bought them groceries.
Yes, we must be prudent. If we don’t self-isolate, the virus will kill so many more. But that’s not enough – we need courage as well. We have been schooled in isolation – that comes naturally in America. We know how to hunker down and protect ourselves.
But courage is something many of us know little of. We think it’s pointing out flaws in others or standing up for our rights. Jesus spelled out his program for courageous action when he said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt. 5)
His program looks unlike anything we’ve ever seen. It tells us to press into pain – to touch it and heal it. We don’t see that in enough of our churches. We teach our young people to be consumers and then are disappointed when they look at life through that lens.
We are going to get through this and we are going to beat the virus. But it is giving us the opportunity to learn lessons that we need. It can teach us what it means to love courageously.
May we be good students. There will be many more challenges in the years ahead. We need to meet them with courageous love.
Seth, We are praying to the Almighty for wisdom and discernment as we navigate these rough waters and for our eyes to stay focused on Him. May He fill the staff at AIM with His strength in the coming days.
Hugs to all….
Thank you, Sharon. We sure need wisdom! I know that God is going to use this to bring re-alignment and hope to so many. But going thru it is hard!
Yes! Amen! We have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.
“But that’s not enough – we need courage as well.” Love this.
Courage is the thing we need now. Love our neighbors and look out for the older and younger. We know our Lord has not left the throne. He has us in the palm of his hand. Amen.
That’s right, Shelley. I love that my mom and dad showed you courageous love when you were a teenager in our Missouri neighborhood and it changed your life! What a great testimony you have!
Reaching out to my church now to see if they are aware of any needs in our community. Thanks for this word!
I like the Contemporary English Version of 2 Timothy 1:7, “God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.”
I can tell you that no matter what we go through, HE is in control and with us. He takes by the hand, and walks with us, even the valley of the shadow of death, He is with us. You can trust him.
what a powerful, powerful line: “His program looks unlike anything we’ve ever seen. It tells us to press into pain…”
Paying for all at Aim. We must remember God is in Control. He will see us through this. Blessings to all Magaret
Thanks for sharing this Seth. We will get through this together and thankful for your leadership within the church!
Thanks Seth. We agree. We are looking to what God has to teach us. So often the body of Christ seeks and even tries to replicate the Mark 9 mount of transfiguration experience. God certainly reveals Himself there. But it’s subsequent valley where we come face to face with our own weaknesses and unbelief and have the opportunity to be transformed. If we listen…
Wow I’m in that little church community! Go Keystone and yay God!
I love that example from Mark 9! As humans we’re always wanting to “play the greatest hits.” That is, expecting God to do today the thing he did yesterday, when he said, “I am doing a NEW thing.”
good reminder Seth
Thank you for your courageous leadership during these challenging and uncertain times. We are praying for all the decision-makers who need abundant wisdom more than ever before. Manna first each moment.
Thanks for the prayers, Toni. We are taking good care of Troyer!